Systems, devices, and related methods for coupling medical devices

Abstract

Systems, devices, and related methods for coupling medical devices are described. A medical system may include a first medical device having a handle and a shaft extending distally from the handle, and may include a second medical device including a handle having an actuator and a shaft extending distally from the handle. The actuator may be configured to deflect the shaft of the second medical device. The medical system may further include an attachment device that may be configured to removably couple the first medical device to the second medical device. The attachment device may include a linkage that may be configured to be coupled to the actuator. The linkage may be external to the handle of the second medical device. The linkage may include a lever and movement of the lever may be configured to articulate the actuator of the second medical device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A medical system comprising:
 a first medical device including a handle and a shaft extending distally from the handle;   a second medical device including a handle having an actuator and a shaft extending distally from the handle, wherein the actuator is configured to deflect the shaft of the second medical device; and   an attachment device configured to removably couple the first medical device to the second medical device, the attachment device comprising a linkage that is configured to be coupled to the actuator, wherein the linkage is external to the handle of the second medical device, wherein the linkage includes a lever, and wherein movement of the lever is configured to articulate the actuator of the second medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device includes a housing that is movably coupled to one or more elements of the linkage, wherein the attachment device further comprises:
 a channel for receiving the second medical device.   
     
     
         3 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is removably coupled to the first medical device and the second medical device. 
     
     
         4 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is configured such that an actuator of the first medical device and the lever of the attachment device are actuatable by a single hand of a user. 
     
     
         5 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage further includes a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm movably coupled to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The medical system of  claim 5 , wherein a first end of the lever is free and a second end of the lever is coupled to a first end of the first arm, wherein a second end of the first arm is coupled to a first end of the second arm, wherein a second end of the second arm is coupled to a first end of the third arm, and wherein a second end of the third arm is coupled to the actuator of the second medical device. 
     
     
         7 . The medical system of  claim 5 , wherein the third arm has an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         8 . The medical system of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the lever is coupled to the first end of the first arm via a first pin movable within a first slot of a housing of the attachment device, and wherein the second end of the first arm is coupled to the first end of the second arm via a second pin movable within a second slot of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The medical system of  claim 8 , wherein the first slot and the second slot extend parallel to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The medical system of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the second arm is coupled to the first end of the third arm via a hinge. 
     
     
         11 . The medical system of  claim 10 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The medical system of  claim 2 , wherein the lever includes a contact element positioned outside of the housing of the attachment device. 
     
     
         13 . The medical system of  claim 12 , wherein the contact element has a C or U shape. 
     
     
         14 . The medical system of  claim 12 , wherein the contact element has a ring shape. 
     
     
         15 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage further includes a spring coupled to the lever, and wherein the spring is configured to bias the lever to a relaxed state. 
     
     
         16 . A medical system comprising:
 a first medical device including a handle coupled to a shaft and an actuator for deflecting the shaft of the first medical device;   a second medical device including a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle, and an actuator for deflecting the shaft of the second medical device; and   one or more attachment devices coupling the handle of the second medical device to a proximal portion of the handle of the first medical device, such that the actuator of the second medical device is positioned on a first side of the handle of the first medical device, wherein the actuator of the first medical device is positioned on a second side of the handle of the first medical device, wherein the first side is opposite to the second side, and wherein the actuator of the second medical device and the actuator of the first medical device are actuatable by a single hand of a user.   
     
     
         17 . The medical system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more attachment devices couple to a wheel of the actuator of the first medical device. 
     
     
         18 . The medical system of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator is a lever angled towards the handle of the first medical device in a configuration in which the one or more attachment devices couple the handle of the second medical device to the handle of the first medical device. 
     
     
         19 . A medical system comprising:
 a first medical device including a handle coupled to a shaft; and   a second medical device including:
 a shaft; and 
 a handle coupled to the shaft, wherein the handle includes:
 a handle body; 
 an actuation mechanism for deflecting the shaft of the second medical device; and 
 an attachment device configured to couple the handle body of the second medical device to the handle of the first medical device, wherein the handle has a substantially “V” shape. 
 
   
     
     
         20 . The medical system of  claim 19 , wherein a distal portion of the handle body and the attachment device extend away from a proximal portion of the handle body, and wherein the proximal portion of the handle body includes the actuation mechanism.